Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Feb 27th, 2016 7:48AM

The alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is moderate. Known problems include Persistent Slabs, Cornices and Wind Slabs.

matt.mueller, Alberta Parks

Kananaskis.

Tonight the forecast is for some colder temperatures to freeze all this moist surface snow into some solid crusts which will improve travel and tighten up the snowpack. New thin wind slabs have developed and cornice failures persist so remain aware.

Summary

Confidence

High

Weather Forecast

Sunday will be mainly cloudy with 5mm of snow forecast for the day. Winds will be out of the west 30km/h with some stronger gusts to 75km/h. Freeze levels will rise to 1800 meters tomorrow.

Avalanche Summary

Surprisingly few loose wet avalanches observed today from the highway. One avalanche was noted in the Murray moraines area, size 1.5 slab initiated from a cornice failure.

Snowpack Summary

Snowpack continues to settle with high freeze levels. Moist snow to 2200 on all aspects due to lack of overnight recovery. Moist to ridge top on all solar aspects. Winds out of the west today were likely building thin wind slabs in the lee (easterly) aspects and across cross wind affected terrain today and continuing to build cornices at alpine ridgetop. Below 2200, the snowpack was not supportive and travel was nasty. Crusts will be prevalent on all solar aspects and up to 2200 meters approximately on all other aspects. Shallow snowpack have weak facetted structure and do not support skiers weight.

Problems

Persistent Slabs

Avoid thin, rocky or sparsely-treed slopes.>Avoid steep slopes below cornices.>Be aware of the potential for large, deep avalanches.>

Aspects: All aspects.

Elevations: Alpine, Treeline.

Likelihood

Unlikely

Expected Size

2 - 5

Cornices

Cornices become weak with daytime heating. >Avoid areas with overhead hazard.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, South West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 4

Wind Slabs

If you are increasing your exposure to avalanche terrain, do it gradually as you gather information.>Be cautious as you transition into wind affected terrain.>

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Unlikely - Possible

Expected Size

1 - 3

Valid until: Feb 28th, 2016 2:00PM